Chapter 105: Gradually Firming Beliefs
Kiyoshi could naturally sense the faint aura Zetsu leaked. Whether from fragments seen in his past life or memories left by Isshiki, he had long known of Zetsu's existence, just not expecting to encounter him here.
His Jōgan swept over the direction Zetsu fled, and Kiyoshi understood, "Seems like he's monitoring the Rinnegan! But, he sure runs fast!"
Since Zetsu ran off, Kiyoshi didn't bother pursuing it. It wasn't a major issue. Zetsu's plan to save his mother by splitting the moon didn't significantly conflict with Kiyoshi's own plans. After all, he was still thinking about feeding his little Ten-Tails and then planting the God Tree in the ninja world. The potential food for the little Ten-Tails was either Kaguya Otsutsuki or the nine Tailed Beasts split from her Ten-Tails. So, letting him escape was fine.
Black Zetsu, moving rapidly underground, once again missed the chance to directly learn Kiyoshi's Otsutsuki identity. He would likely only find out if he went to investigate in Kirigakure. However, Kiyoshi knew Zetsu would most likely investigate him in Kirigakure, but he was fearless now. You can investigate all you want; the Otsutsuki surname will surely silence Zetsu the moment he looks into it.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Kiyoshi woke up.
The weather in the Land of Rain was unusually clear today.
The Land of Rain's weather is even more extreme than the Land of Water's. For almost the entire 365 days of the year, it is shrouded in rain, as if the country has an inseparable bond with rain, which is the origin of its name "Rain".
Usually, the sky is gloomy, making people feel depressed and heavy. Good weather like today was rare. Bright sunshine and clear skies brought a rare sense of freshness and comfort to the people of the Land of Rain.
Kiyoshi gazed into the distance. The bright sunlight shone on the town, which had been terribly damaged. The traces of last night's fierce battle were still clearly visible, even after being constantly washed by the heavy rain.
The sun hung high in the sky, emitting a gentle glow. The long-absent sunlight felt comfortable and reassuring. However, when his gaze fell upon the marks filled with sorrow and despair, his mood became heavy again.
Large puddles still remained on the streets, reflecting the dilapidated surroundings. The small town, originally barely habitable, was now largely reduced to ruins, with collapsed houses, scorched earth, and broken tiles everywhere.
The civilians who had fled last night were gradually returning to their broken homes. Faint sounds of crying could occasionally be heard, seemingly mourning deceased relatives or expressing confusion about the future.
Kiyoshi stood still for a long time before snapping back to reality, looking at the devastation. Although the battle was initiated by Orochimaru and other Konoha ninjas, he also bore a share of the responsibility for the town's destruction.
Appearing instantly within the town using Shunshin, Kiyoshi walked among the ruins, his heart filled with complex emotions. Seeing the pain and helplessness in the eyes of those who had lost hope, he felt a pang of heartache. Although the ninja world had been like this for years, the remaining kindness from his past life and the education he had received made it impossible for him to ignore these common people. The wounds of war could not be easily erased; it destroyed everything beautiful and brought endless suffering to people.
Kiyoshi decided to do something.
"Earth Release: Connected Pillars House Technique!"
(Yamato's Wood Release house-building technique; Earth Release should be able to achieve the same effect.)
Kiyoshi placed his hands on the ground, chakra surging wildly into the earth. To the terrified eyes of the crying townspeople, the debris of broken houses sank underground, and new earthen houses continuously rose.
Seeing smiles gradually appear on the faces of the civilians, Kiyoshi's inner conviction became even firmer. Elevate his bloodline, plant the tree, obtain the Chakra Fruit, bring peace to the ninja world – this was Kiyoshi's future path.
Returning to the cave base of the three little ones, they were already awake. Seeing Kiyoshi return, Konan immediately rushed over, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Wuu wuu wuu... Big brother, I thought you weren't going to care about us anymore!!!" Konan hugged Kiyoshi tightly, crying pitifully in his arms like a pear blossom caught in the rain.
Good grief, Kiyoshi had never experienced such a scene in either his past or present life. In his past life, he was utterly alone without any relatives. In this life, before meeting Master Gen, he wasn't much better off. Kiyoshi had no experience dealing with children. He could only crouch down and hug Konan back as she threw herself into his arms, gently patting her back and stroking her light purple hair.
After a long while, Konan calmed down and pulled away from Kiyoshi's embrace, her face flushed red with embarrassment from her emotional outburst.
Kiyoshi gave an equally awkward smile and looked towards Yahiko and Nagato, "Hungry? I'll make something to eat, we can talk while we eat."
Taking out a clay pot and ingredients from his Takamagahara space, he casually created a stove with Earth Release, started a fire with Fire Release, and soon, a large pot of steaming hot meat congee was ready. The white rice congee, dotted with minced meat, emitted an enticing aroma that made the three kids' eyes light up, swallowing saliva loudly. They hadn't eaten anything hot in a long time.
Kiyoshi took out four bowls again, served a bowl to each of the three, and said, "Hehe, come eat!"
Looking at the fragrant meat congee, tears unconsciously streamed down the faces of the three little ones. "Big brother, you're so good to us!" Yahiko said, his voice choked with tears. Since becoming war orphans, he had been forced to struggle desperately to survive. Although Kiyoshi wasn't the first person to show them kindness, he was the only one who had actually helped them.
Kiyoshi smiled, shaking his head without speaking. The kindness in his heart, the experiences of his past life, the encounters in this life – all made it impossible for him to stand by idly regarding the plight of the three war orphans. Although the Rinnegan was a factor this time, even if it were just Yahiko and Konan, Kiyoshi would have still intervened.
He wasn't some kind of saint, nor was he an overly nice person, but since he had encountered them, he couldn't remain indifferent. Perhaps this was the guidance of fate.
The three little ones wolfed down the food, finishing the meat congee with lightning speed, not being polite with Kiyoshi at all. The usually shy Nagato had also opened up, mumbling to Kiyoshi while eating, "Big brother, you eat too!"
Kiyoshi smiled at him, nodded, and began to eat as well.
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